Darlene JoAnne Gardner King, 68, of Butler went home to be with the Lord at 12:45 p.m. Sunday at her home after a long illness.

Born Oct. 11, 1937, in Butler, she was a daughter of the late Robert Nicholas and Viola Grace Bodema Gardner.

She was a 1955 graduate of Butler High School and worked hard all of her life to provide for her family.

She was a lifelong member of the Grace @ Calvary Church, formerly known as the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, at 123 E. Diamond St.

She enjoyed reading, watching her favorite television programs, crossword and jigsaw puzzles and beating everybody at pinochle.

She loved her family more than anything else and always gave of her time.

Surviving are two sons, William King and his wife, Joy, and David King Sr. and his wife, Colleen; three grandchildren, Jessica King Lyter and her husband, Tim, Samantha King and David King II; and a great-granddaughter, Emili King. She also is survived by two sisters, Carol Gardner Reges and her husband, Bud, and Sharon Gardner Dillard and her husband, Mark; two nieces, Ashley Dillard and Kristen Dillard and her fiancé, Rob Green; three nephews, Robert and Dean Reges and Ryan Dillard; three grandnieces, Kaelyn Green and Brianna and Deana Reges; and two grandnephews, Jeremy Powell and Brandon Reges.

KING — Friends of Darlene JoAnne Gardner King, who died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, 429 Center Ave. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Tim Bupp officiating.A luncheon will follow at the church.Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Attn: Breast Cancer in memory of Darlene King, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205. Acknowledgement cards are available by request.